New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1887-06-28
THE SDoRFr1RY AT THE NAVY YARD
INSPECTING THE NEW MEN-oF.wAR
ONE VESSEL OF THE NEW NAvY WILL DE BUILT IN
BROOKLYN.

INSPECTING THE NEW MEN-oF.wAR
ONE VESSEL OF THE NEW NAVY WILL DE BUILT IN
BROOKLYN.
Secretary Whitney made an Official visit to the
Navy Yard yesterday on tour of inspection. Com
modore Gherardi had arranged grand reception, but
the Secretary sent word that he preferred to have no
special ceremony 50 the orders for demonstration
we're countermanded. The SecresarJ.was brought to
the ward from New-York in the tug Catapa; and as
he landed ahead of time he found at the wharf,
and walked alone halfway to the C0mmodorcs office,
when he met that official with his stan hurriedly
coming to welcome him. The Secretary was dressed
in doube-breasted rock coat and brs wn Derby hat.
He has grown stouter since be went to Washington,
and the gray hairs in his she 1T mustache tell Of In
creasing age His manners were as genial as when
hc was CORPORATION Counsel of York, and he put
body at case he walked about and discussed
Navy Yard affairs.
The Atsnta, now ready for SEA, first visited,
and then the Boston The Secretary inquired when
the Boston would be completed, and was informed by
Commodore Gherarli that dock trial OF four days
will begn in thirteen days time, and the trai tnp at
sea could take place alter as the secretary
might order. The Chicago. which YVES lying at the
Cob Dock preparatory to going to the Erie Basin to-
dsy was next boarded. The Secretary had never
seen this vessel before. He unged at her thin steel
sides with his umbrella, and remarked that heavy
might make hole in the plate Inc opcers
agreed with him that shot would easily pierce the
TINT respect-mereIy to strengthen the vessel A
lieutenant explained that while called al aTmored
vessel, it really has amor
The Secretary We at down to examine .ho engines;
hut he tessed that he could not tell much about
such complicated machinery His lack oil familiarity
with this part OF vessel led him accidentally to run
his head against beam. injuring his hat. Captain
Kirkland sent for some helmets and sailors ears, but
one large enough for the Secretary cond not be
found !: so he continued to the old hat Chief
hn tas I'll n IA
Chicago, asked the Secretary TO give him som, more
enneers to assist in the preparations tor the trial
trip Of that vessel, as the present iforce was in
sufficient. Secretary Whitney replied
at is nv experience that a vessel fully manned will
not get on on her trial trip until she has been in this
yard about three months II ship put in COM
mission 1t takes the officers about that time to get
their cabins ready. want to try this ship right
away"
3 Commodore Gherardi said that if permission we're
given to man the ship he would guarantee speedy
trial. But the Secretary said that he determined
TO put more ships in commission until after they
were tried. He promised, however, to furnish more
engineers at once. The Secretary visited the Dolphin
and then expressed himself as we-plcased with the
general appearance OF the new ships. He took
look at the broken steel derrick which sticks out OF
the mud where 1t recently fell, and afterward spent
some time investigating the matter
Alter lunch the Con mOdores hot the Secretary
returned to the office, while the band played Hall
to the Chlet After time in conference with
the officials he visited the general storehouse to ind
ont how his order for the consolidation OF the pur-
chasing bureaus operating 10 TRIBUNE
reporter be said
A man may order thing DONE believing it to
be for the interests of the service and aferward
when he finds nearly everybody opposing ii, be may
be in doubt as to the wisdom of mis- action. But when
he comes to see the effect himself be can tell more
about it, Now that was the way with this consolida-
ton of The storehouses On inspecting the actual
operation OF the order avn well pleased with it.
Instead of having stores scattered all over the yard
they are now all together. and il is al easy matter to
tell just what we have got The change has also
pro led beneficial at Norfolk"
win you build the new 6,O00-ton cruiser in this
yard 7" -,
shall build one vessel here as Congress ordered
that one should he constructed in navy yard do
not know when we will be able to begin work. We
have moi yet got the plans TOR the armo-ed cruisers
and the battle ships. The armor will come from the
| Bethlehem Company and 1t wit, lie year and q halt
before they will be ready to deliver any OF IT, SO
there il no great hurry. 1t will take about $lOO,O0o
worth OF additional plant to put this yard IL shape Tor
| such work" =,
| When will the new dry dock be constructed hcreP
| Before long. That will be over there where the
| broken derrick stands. | do not know much about
that derrick. 1t WAS not constructed under this Al
ministratIon" said the Secretary laughing as he
went aboard the Catalpa hls return to New-forA-
| A salute was fired on his departure